For royal history

In the heart of Angus stands one of Scotland's finest castles. Glamis Castle is connected with both real and imagined monarchy as the Queen Mother's childhood home and the fictitious abode of Shakespeare's Macbeth. But it's this 14th-century dame's spectacular architecture, complete with turrets and towers, and stunning gardens that make her so endearing. The inside can only be seen on a guided tour, but it's definitely worth it: you'll hear stories about everyone from Mary Queen of Scots to Old Pretender James VIII, and you'll get to explore around the hallways and royal rooms, admiring magnificent fireplaces and valuable paintings.

The castle is a category A listed building, and the grounds are listed on the Inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes in Scotland, Scotland's national list of noteworthy gardens. The clock tower holds the castle's archives, which include a wealth of historical information about the castle and the Bowes and Lyon families. A papal edict and Mary Eleanor Bowes' memoirs are among them. The Glamis archives are closely linked to the University of Dundee's archives, and scholars who seek to study information kept in the Glamis Castle Archive do so in the University's search room.